5 Perks From Your Morning Brew

1. Rich in antioxidants. The antioxidants found in coffee provide a variety of health benefits as well as some disease fighting properties. The research is positive in showing the antioxidant power of coffee and how it helps to will help decrease inflammation, improve memory, enhance insulin function. The antioxidants found in coffee include: caffeic acid, caffeine, the chlorogenic acids, eugenol, gamma-tocopherol, isoeugenol, p-coumaric acid, scopoletin and tannic acid.

2. Brain booster. Coffee has been found to decrease depression as well as improve overall cognitive function. Drinking caffeinated coffee can help maintain and enhance mental alertness and performance throughout the day. Long-term coffee drinkers have also been found to have a lower rate of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. However it is important to note, that if you are looking for the brain boosting benefits of coffee decaf will not have the same positive impact.

3. Enhance athletic performance. For years the topic of caffeine and improved athletic performance has peaked the interested sports nutrition researchers. With over seventy-four studies on caffeine’s use for both endurance and high intensity exercise, caffeine is one the best-test ergogenic aids for sports performance. The caffeine in coffee has been found to help improve intensity and duration of workouts. As a stimulant it also promotes clearer thinking and better focus during exercise or competition. Because each person will respond differently to caffeine, it is important to not assume caffeine (or more caffeine) will make you perform better. While it does improve performance for many, the wrong dose could leave you nauseated, needing to run to the nearest bathroom, or with the jitters. If you are planning to compete in a race or another athletic event and want to try caffeine to enhance your performance, it is important you train with it as part of your routine before competition day.

4. Boost metabolism. Caffeinated coffee can increase your metabolic rate by 3 – 11%. This metabolic boost can help burn more calories and increase fat burning. Be aware that over time you can become tolerant to these effects, meaning the increased metabolic rate might not be a permanent solution to burning more calories.

5. Lower risk of diabetes. Drinking coffee appears to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health found that people who drank three or more cups of coffee a day were 37 per cent less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Go ahead and drink that extra cup of caffeinated coffee before your workout…not only will you be improving performance and boosting your metabolism, but also decreasing your risk for diabetes.